A LIPSTICK A DAY

My February Favourites are similar to January, with a few new and old products. I've been concentrating on cheeks (more than my usual) so there are lots of cheek products on the list.

REN sent me their latest product, Bio Retinoid Anti-Ageing Concentrate to try.  I don't like to review skincare products without using them for a reasonable amount of time, so this review has been in the works for a while.  I have used this for a month now.

Retinoid is a derivative from Vitamin A.  The first retinoid, tretinoin (better know as Retin-A), is pretty much the only ingredient that has been proven to reduce fine lines & wrinkles.  It works by speeding up your skin's renewal process (ie gets rid of dead skin cells faster) and impeding the breakdown of collagen in your skin.

This all sounds fantastic but having used Retin-A and Differin (another type of topical retinol) for acne in my teens, I know there is a major drawback - red, irritated flaky skin (and worse breakouts if your skin is spotty).

So this is where REN comes in.  Their Bio Retinoid Anti-Ageing Concentrate is all naturally derived and claims to deliver all the results without the irritation.

The Quad Royale palette in Monte Carlo #02 is my first Edward Bess product.  I had been tempted by the Blush Imperiale and Eyeshadow Trio, but was put off by not being able to see/swatch the product in store.  But I finally decided cave in when I saw photos of this peachy palette.

I have been truly impressed by Shiseido's Perfect Foundation Brush.  I buy a lot of makeup and skincare products - sometimes I feel indifferent about some products and other times I actually feel quite excited to use it again and again - this brush is of the latter.  The day after I tried it, I couldn't stop telling my friends about it.

The first thing you need to know about Shiseido's Perfect Foundation Brush is that it is tiny.  I had read reviews, seen photos and even seen videos demonstrating how to use the brush, but I was still quite shocked about how small it is.

For the past few months, I didn't wear any foundation because it didn't seem to make any noticeable difference to me.  But when Chanel launched their new foundation, Perfection Lumière, I decided to give it a try.

I have used Mat Lumière and Vitalumière Aqua previously.  They were good but not good enough to make a huge difference - Mat Lumière was ok but I found lasting power wasn't that great, Vitalumière Aqua was a bit too much like a tinted moisturiser for me.

I have to admit Stila Love at First Blush was a bit of an impulse/cheap-thrill buy for me.  I didn't need another pink blush but thought I would feature it for Valentine's Day*, since quite a few people were interested in the blush when I posted some preview images for Stila's spring collection.

Out of the three Le Vernis for Chanel Harmonie de Printemps Spring 2012 Collection, I only picked up April, as May & June were too washed-out pastel for my skintone.  In fact I think I wouldn't have purchased April at all if my birthday wasn't in April.

I saw photos of Cruel Gardenia in October last year and I knew I had to have it - it screamed collector's item.  I have much too many highlighters but I think Cruel Gardenia is just beautiful to look at.

My initial reaction when I saw this Éclosion was - peach & plummy brown together on the eyes? Will it be wearable?!  After wearing it for the last few days I can safely say yes.